Instrument for lancing snake bites



United States Patent INSTRUMENT FOR LANCING SNAKE BITES Del Alvos, Guadalupe, Calif.

Application September 19, 1955, Serial No. 534,968

4 Claims. (Cl. 128-314) This invention relates to first aid treatment for poisonous snake bites, such as that from the rattlesnake, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a novel, non-complicated, instrument for lancing these snake bites, to cause adequate bleeding as a means of cleansing the venom from the wound.

The invention contemplates the production of a novel instrument for the purpose as described, particularly adapted, to adequately produce an incision consistent with or limited to the depth and Width of the blade disposed thereon, and whereas a centrally located guide point would be disposed from the cutting edge of the said blade, to aid substantially in properly placing the incision.

It appears that certain disadvantages have been prevalent in the lancing of snake bites, such as the difiiculty of properly bisecting the fang puncture and the lack of control over the adequate depth and width of the incision, by persons unskilled in the art of surgery, particularly, if the surgery is self-imposed, due to emotional reaction and the general effects resulting from the snake bite, and whereas the surgery thus performed may vary from an incision inadequate for proper first aid treatment to an incision the scope of which may cause greater damage than. the original snake bite, and whereas it is an object of this invention to substantially minimize if not to overcome these and other disadvantages that will appear evident.

The invention is further illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and whereas Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 are side views of the instrument embodying my invention, having a blade inch wide 1 adapted on one end of the body 2, and vertically disposed inch from the shoulder 3 to the cutting edge 4, and having a guide point 5 disposed inch from the said cutting edge 4, and whereas further advantages appear evident by the cap 6 adapted to fit as a protective covering over the blade to the point 7, and

whereas the body of the instrument would have a medicine compartment from 8 to 9, and whereas the cap 10, Fig. 2, is adapted to fit as a cover over the said compartment to the point 11, and whereas the set screw 12 is adapted to hold the blade in place, and whereas the clasp 13 is adapted to fasten the instrument to pockets.

In the practice of the use of the invention, I prefer simply to first insert the guide point adequately into each fang puncture, and subsequently, after preferably first adjusting the blade substantially parallel to leaders, large.

veins and arteries, in superficial locations, pressing or striking the opposite end of the instrument, preferably by hand, with adequate force to cause the blade to cut to the depth allowed by the protective shoulder as disposed.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire toavail myself of such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An instrument for lancing snake bites comprising a blade /8 inch wide and inch long adapted on the end of a handle, and having a centrally located guide point disposed inch from the cutting edge of the blade.

2. An instrument for lancing snake bites effective for controlling the maximum depth and width of the incision comprising a blade A inch wide and A inch long adapted on the end of a handle, and having a centrally locatedguide point disposed inch from the cutting edge of the blade.

3. An instrument for lancing snake bites effective for accurately placing the incision comprising a blade inch wide and inch long adapted on the end of a handle, and having a centrally located guide point disposed A inch from the cutting edge of the blade.

4. An instrument for lancing snake bites effective for adequately reproducing a surgical incision comprising a blade A3 inch wide and /1 inch long adapted on the end of a handle, and having a centrally located guide point disposed A inch from the cutting edge of the blade.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Patented Dec. 16, 1958 I 

